British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
